While leaders retreated today for the 46th Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting in Port Moresby, around 30 Australians walked onto the world’s biggest coal port in Newcastle in support of Pacific Small Island States call for a moratorium on new coal mines.

The protesters also called for a global climate agreement that can keep global warming to below 1.5° in a fight for their survival.

The meeting from September 9-11 is attended by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Tonga’s Prime Minister Hon ‘Akilisi Pohiva and other Pacific leaders.

Fenton Lutunatabua spokesperson for 530°.org Pacific from Fiji reported the protesters entered Carrington Coal Terminal which is part of the world’s biggest coal exporting port.

Annually, Newcastle produces over 380 million tonnes of greenhouse gases when burnt, and plans are underway to continue expanding coal export volumes through the port with a controversial new terminal.

The protesters brought banners and message of support for Pacific Small Island Leaders.

In the lead up to the meeting there has been significant momentum for a resolution on climate change that can ensure the survival of the Smaller Island states in the Pacific like Kiribati and Tuvalu.

On Friday, 4 September the Pacific Islands Development Forum, which Australia and New Zealand are not members of issued the Suva Declaration declaring for the Paris Climate Summit to adopt a legally binding agreement to limit global average temperature increase to below 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

The declaration also called for support for loss and damage suffered by developing countries from the effects of climate change, a new global dialogue on the implementation of an international moratorium on the development and expansion of fossil fuel extracting industries, particularly the construction of new coal mines.

The Pacific Small Island States followed with a call of their own reiterating the need to keep warming below 1.5°C and for a global moratorium on new coal mines.

“We wanted to send a message to the Pacific leaders at the meeting that Australians are behind them and we too want our Government and the Pacific Islands Forum to take action that will ensure survival, starting with global agreement to keep warming below 1.5°C and a global moratorium on new coal mines,” said protester Fee Moseley.

Fenton said climate change will affect us all and they welcome the solidarity from ordinary Australians in their calls for a response to climate change and coal that is discussed on ensuring the survival of us all and not just the coal industry.

He said the smaller island states have made themselves clear and any failure of the Forum communiqué to reflect that position will be seen for what it is – Australia and NZ again bullying the Pacific for their own political interest.

The meeting will discuss key regional issues including climate change and disaster risk reduction for the upcoming UNFCCC COP21 meeting in Paris.

Tonga's Prime Minister is accompanied by the Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Fisheries Hon. Semisi Fakahau, Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Dr. Palenitina Langa’oi, Secretary for Foreign Affairs Va’inga Tone, CEO for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications Paula Ma’u and the PM’s Personal Assistant, Po’oi Pohiva.